Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 induces acute skeletal muscle damage in human K18-hACE2 transgenic mice.

The pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in over 7 million global fatalities and billions of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Acute and chronic muscle impairment associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection affected a substantial number of patients, leading to the development of symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, and exercise intolerance. Our study introduces an animal model to improve understanding of the pathogenicity caused by SARS-CoV-2 in human skeletal muscle.

G protein-coupled purinergic P2Y receptors in infectious diseases.

The purinergic P2Y receptors comprise eight G-coupled receptor (GPCR) subtypes already identified (P2Y, P2Y, P2Y, P2Y, P2Y, P2Y). P2Y receptor physiological agonists are extracellular purine and pyrimidine nucleotides such as ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), ADP (Adenosine diphosphate), UTP (Uridine triphosphate), UDP (Uridine diphosphate), and UDP-glucose. These receptors are expressed in almost all cells.

The role of the P2X7 receptor in inactivated SARS-CoV-2-induced lung injury.

Purinergic signaling plays a role in the pathophysiology of different viral infections. Recently, we showed that COVID-19 increases extracellular ATP levels, which may amplify the pro-inflammatory signals in the disease. The P2X7 receptor can be a protagonist in the pro-inflammatory responses.

P2X7 receptor in macrophage polarization and its implications in neuroblastoma tumor behavior.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exhibit antitumor or protumor responses related to inflammatory (or M1) and alternative (or M2) phenotypes, respectively. The P2X7 receptor plays a key role in macrophage polarization, influencing inflammation and immunosuppression. In this study, we investigated the role of the P2X7 receptor in TAMs.

Inflammatory response and parasite regulation in acute toxoplasmosis: the role of P2X7 receptor in controlling virulent atypical genotype strain of .

Toxoplasmosis is a globally significant disease that poses a severe threat to immunocompromised individuals, especially in Brazil, where a high prevalence of virulent and atypical strains of is observed. In 1998, the EGS strain, exhibiting a unique infection phenotype, was isolated in Brazil, adding to the complexity of strain diversity. The P2X7 receptor is critical in inflammation and controlling intracellular microorganisms such as However, its genetic variability can result in receptor dysfunction, potentially worsening susceptibility.